Agenda and minutes

There were no declerations of interest made.

A presentation was given to the Board relating to the work and priorities of Healthwatch Gateshead over 2023/24, and ongoing work for the future. An overview was given of the purpose of Healthwatch, nationally and in Gateshead, and its vision, mission and values. At local level, the Healthwatch Gateshead Committee agrees on 3 or 4 themes of work per year for each area.

The Annual Report for 2023/24 has been published, and annual priorities for 2024/25 are as follows:

·         Autism and ADHD

·         Dementia Care

·         Physiotherapy

·         Youthwatch (continued from 2024)

·         Residential Care Homes

The 2025 Gateshead Healthwatch Annual Survey is now open for everyone with experience of local health and social care services to take part. The survey closes on 31 March 2025. Healthwatch Gateshead will use the feedback to generate a report based on how the public assess the effectiveness of current service provision.

The Committee discussed feedback from pharmacies and concerns about an increase in distance selling pharmacies. It was noted that this is a national issue as well as a local one. The Pharmacy First campaign was noted as a positive step.

Particular note was given to translation services being hard to access for patients and that once accessed, they require a lot of trust when supporting translation of complex medical cases.

RESOLVED

The Committee:

i.              Discussed and noted the presentation.

The Committee received an update on the development of a health and social care focused Autism Strategy. The strategy has been co-produced across health & social care and with people with lived experience, with an evidence-based approach supported by research.

The following priorities are the foundation of the strategy:

·         Priority 1: Pre & post-diagnostic support- all ages

·         Priority 2: Reducing inequalities & barriers to health & social care services

·         Priority 3: Education & lifelong learning

·         Priority 4: Employment & skills

·         Priority 5: Criminal justice and youth justice

·         Priority 6: Community inclusion and involvement

·         Priority 7: Increasing understanding & promoting reasonable adjustments in universal services

A final draft has been circulated, with relevant amendments undertaken. The report is due for approval at Cabinet and the Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Board in February 2025.

RESOLVED

The Committee:

i.              Discussed and noted the presentation.

The Committee received a presentation on the development and implementation of a generalist home care model.

The presentation noted that the adopted ‘Homes First’ approach responds to a vision to reduce proportion of admissions into Care by 200. It was noted that Gateshead have a high proportion of people in long-term Residential Care Settings.

The new model moves away from ‘time & task’ and focuses on ‘outcomes’. It will split Gateshead into 4 localities with 9 sub-zones to minimise travel and competition.

The next steps are as follows:

·         Weekly Meetings are taking place with all providers and will continue before and after the transfer

·         New Providers will be visiting all service users to prepare their own Care & Support Plans and Risk Assessments over the coming weeks

·         Further communication will be given to service users in early February to confirm the transfer details and give the reassurance of the smooth transfer between providers

·         A dedicated email (cafolderpeoplecommissioning@gateshead.gov.uk) and telephone lines (07596318608 or 07751970497) have been communicated to deal with any queries

The new model and additional investment were approved by Cabinet in April 2024, with a tender exercise completed in the summer and contracts being awarded in October 2024. 9 Providers have been awarded a sub-zone each (7 existing and 2 new), and contracts begin on Monday 3^rd March 25.

The presentation also outlined challenges and future benefits of the model.

RESOLVED

The Committee:

i.              Discussed and noted the presentation.

The Committee reviewed the Work Programme for 2024/25, with no amendments made.

RESOLVED

i.              The Committee noted the Work Programme.